Cats land a sleeper
It looks like Northwestern has landed another diamond-in-the-rough.
Unranked San Mateo (Calif.) Junipero Serra prospect Hamilton Anoa'i committed to the Wildcats today, according to a tweet from Serra head coach Patrick Walsh, to become the 14th member of the Class of 2014.
Advertisement
Serra Football keeps on winning in life….team GPA again over 3.0! Hamilton Anoai just verbally committed to Northwestern University!- Patrick Walsh (@coachwalsh20) December 20, 2013
The commitment came as a surprise because Anoa'i had largely flown under the radar this year after tearing an ACL as a junior. He played linebacker, safety, receiver and tight end this season for Serra and will most likely play safety or outside linebacker for Northwestern.
Rivals recruiting expert Justin Rowland scouted Anoa'i recently and thinks that the versatile 6-foot-3, 220-pounder could play several different positions at the next level.
"Anoa'i has a very unique skill set for someone his size," wrote Rowland in a November story. "We were surprised to see Anoa'i's senior film because it's some of the more impressive tape we've seen all year. Just on a raw skill level Anoa'i looks like at least a three-star player easily…."
Nevada was the only other FBS school that offered Anoa'i a scholarship before Northwestern tendered an offer.
With Anoa'i's unexpected commitment, the Wildcats are a step closer to putting a bow on their 2014 class. The program has only one outstanding offer at this point, to four-star cornerback Parrker Westphal.
Log on to WildcatReport for more on Anoa'i's commitment.